BIRATNAGAR
Building Bridges to a Better Future for Youth in Biratnagar
DB4N President, Mr. Edmond, and Mr.Somnath Ghimire representative from Build Better Biratnagar, signing the MoU.
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Digital Bridges 4 Nepal has built a powerful partnership with the Nepali Diaspora Association Build Better Biratnagar and with Nagesh Koirala, the Mayor of Biratnagar to deliver the first Collaborative Learning Environment Center(CLEC) at Sarvajanik Ma bi.
Together we are brining our innovative, digitally enabled, multi-purpose Collaborative Learning Environment Center(CLEC) to young people and their teachers in Biratnagar. |
A Powerful Partnership
First Visit to Biratnagar 1 Nov- 3 Nov, 2022.
The DB4N team led by Mr. Edmond Antoine went to Biratnagar to research and select future CLEC schools. The team was welcomed and accompanied by the Mayor Mr. Nagesh Koirala. The team visited different schools with the aim of choosing the best school that could be the future CLEC center. Accordingly, with the best suggestions from the Mayor and DB4N boards and teams, Shree Sarvajanik Ma Vi was selected. The school was located in Baijanathpur-19, Biratnagar. Though the village is located under the Biratnagar Metropolitan City, it is a remote and marginalized community.
The DB4N team led by Mr. Edmond Antoine went to Biratnagar to research and select future CLEC schools. The team was welcomed and accompanied by the Mayor Mr. Nagesh Koirala. The team visited different schools with the aim of choosing the best school that could be the future CLEC center. Accordingly, with the best suggestions from the Mayor and DB4N boards and teams, Shree Sarvajanik Ma Vi was selected. The school was located in Baijanathpur-19, Biratnagar. Though the village is located under the Biratnagar Metropolitan City, it is a remote and marginalized community.
Scouting trip
The scouting trip occurred on January 25 and 26, 2023, by the Digital Bridges for Nepal team. The major work that needed to be completed was meeting with teachers and inspecting the room according to our checklist. The inspection included measurements of the room, the size of the door and windows, checking for proper electricity and internet connection, and a feasibility study of the project.
Delivery and Installation trip:
On March 22, 2023, our team left Kathmandu for the delivery. It took almost 12-13 hours to reach the destination. The roads were far better compared to our other trips. Before dark, we unloaded all the equipment with help from the Principal and Vice-principal.
On Day 2, When our team reached school in the morning, they found the possible CLEC room in need of some organization and freshening up. Our team had to put on their painter pants and thinking caps to make the room ready for installation. With help from the School Principal, Mr. Khagendra Khawas, we rolled up our sleeves and transformed a dull classroom into a beautiful new Collaborative Learning Environment Center(CLEC).
After completing the wiring and painting, our team started the installation with the help of teachers and students resulting in project completion after two days of hard work.
On Day 2, When our team reached school in the morning, they found the possible CLEC room in need of some organization and freshening up. Our team had to put on their painter pants and thinking caps to make the room ready for installation. With help from the School Principal, Mr. Khagendra Khawas, we rolled up our sleeves and transformed a dull classroom into a beautiful new Collaborative Learning Environment Center(CLEC).
After completing the wiring and painting, our team started the installation with the help of teachers and students resulting in project completion after two days of hard work.
CLEC Teachers and Students On-Boarding:
Pedagogical Session
After the installation was completed, it was time for onboarding sessions with the teachers and students led by Mr.Edmond Antoine. The sessions included a pedagogical session for the teachers and students. After the session, the teachers had to perform a real CLEC class according to the DB4N’s pedagogy, and guidelines. Our team observed the sessions closely to provide feedback and suggestions.
Technological sessions
Another training session was related to the technological aspect of the CLEC room. The equipment installed in the CLEC is very advanced and modern. Teachers needed to know the technologies and structure they were going to use so the training session provided valuable information for them.
After the installation was completed, it was time for onboarding sessions with the teachers and students led by Mr.Edmond Antoine. The sessions included a pedagogical session for the teachers and students. After the session, the teachers had to perform a real CLEC class according to the DB4N’s pedagogy, and guidelines. Our team observed the sessions closely to provide feedback and suggestions.
Technological sessions
Another training session was related to the technological aspect of the CLEC room. The equipment installed in the CLEC is very advanced and modern. Teachers needed to know the technologies and structure they were going to use so the training session provided valuable information for them.
Biratnagar CLEC official Handover with Hon.Mayor Koirala:
On June 8, 2023, Digital Bridges returned to Biratnagar to meet with the students and teachers using the CLEC to make necessary repairs, gather feedback, and conduct a series of teaching workshops to help maximize the impact of the CLEC.
On June 11, the school organized the handover ceremony in the presence of the metropolitan city's mayor, ward chairman, and education officer. During the ceremony, the mayor talked about the impacts that CLEC will have on the school and the community. He insisted on using CLEC on an everyday basis for maximum benefit. The Digital Bridges team was proud to be part of the ceremony.
On June 11, the school organized the handover ceremony in the presence of the metropolitan city's mayor, ward chairman, and education officer. During the ceremony, the mayor talked about the impacts that CLEC will have on the school and the community. He insisted on using CLEC on an everyday basis for maximum benefit. The Digital Bridges team was proud to be part of the ceremony.
Follow-up:
When DB4N team returns back to Kathmandu, they follow up with the CLEC teachers in a weekly basis. The remote connection(Camera) in the CLEC room helps both teachers and DB4N team to connect with each other. They discuss about the class schedule, students' reactions and engagement in CLEC, and other technical issues.